The hidden projects and volunteers of Patrick Henry

Everyday many of you drive past the re-opened Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts. The obvious improvements are easy to spot, less litter, no broken windows, new playground equipment. What you don’t see is all the other work that’s being done, who is doing it and the tremendous benefit that Reedy Creek watershed receives.

First let’s take a look at some of what has been done to date. All the slopes surrounding the playground have had erosion control measures taken. The bank facing Forest Hill Avenue has had soil added and native plants that will keep the soil in place. The giant hole you see if drive by today is courtesy of the city and a ticket has been written and Patrick Henry is waiting for it to be filled in so that repairs to the slope can be made. To control erosion on another slope a Historic Bayscape, which will soon be filled with native plants that Native Americans used in everyday life, and more traditional gardens have been installed. Closer to the building entrance it looks like twigs but soon will be a small orchard of fruit trees planted. The back of Patrick Henry is a relatively large parking lot. Prior to the school moving in all the runoff went straight from the asphalt into Reedy Creek. To prevent that water from entering the watershed a rain garden has been installed.

This work has been accomplished through the hard work of a variety of volunteers. Most, possibly all, of the outdoor projects are headed up by Bill Shanabruch. Bill is tireless in his efforts to improve the environment around the school and as a result the Reedy Creek watershed and anyone who uses Forest Hill Park or the James River benefits. Bill doesn’t work alone, some projects have required professionals and the school has found an willing and skilled partner in Ian Johnson of Greener Landscapes. Ian is responsible for the creation of both the Historic Bayscape and most recently the rain garden. Ian’s methodology in building of the rain garden has brought the school kudos from erosion experts. Bill, Ian, and the school have also had to turn to volunteers to meet it’s lofty goals.  As well as the various committees that help out the school often puts out the call for volunteers through such outlets as Hills and Heights and HandsOn Greater Richmond.

This past Saturday over 60 VCU students volunteered. All the volunteers were from Sigma Phi Epsilon (SPE) fraternity and Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) sorority. The group had two goals, the first was to volunteer and help out a school and the second to welcome the brand new (to VCU) sorority to the fold.  Sigma Phi Epsilon had worked with the school previously on a miserable October day. The students worked primarily outside. Projects included adding a path to the rain garden using rocks from a misguided idea inside the school, construction of an outdoor classroom using logs from a fallen tree, invasive removal along the  fence line, rebuilding an abandoned compost bin, litter removal, signs created, and a crew worked on removing trash along Reedy Creek. (More pictures here)

These are just a few of the hidden project and volunteers that are happening at Patrick Henry. I’ve haven’t even touched on the efforts and volunteers that are going inside the building and classrooms. I do have the inside scope on a music project that is planned but the details are still being worked out. If you would like to be more involved keep an eye on the Patrick Henry website (you can subscribe to the newsletter) or Facebook page.

If you know of some similar volunteer efforts going on at other local schools please send me your story and I’ll be happy to publish.